All In by Gabra Zackman Read Free Book Online

strong pot of tea and consult with Jackson about the plan of attack.

4
    LISA BEE WAS TRYING to sleep but kept tossing and turning. There was something about this place, about Morocco, about Mahmoud’s villa, about the very sea air, that was turning her on in a way she hadn’t been turned on in years. With each breeze from the ocean, her breath kicked up a notch, and she could feel her nipples harden every time they brushed against the silk sheets. There was no way she would be able to sleep, not with her body coming alive. She hadn’t been with anyone in a very long time; in fact, she had wondered if she’d completely lost her sex drive. But now she felt it coming back with abandon, and it scared her. She could smell the scent of freshly brewed coffee and decided to go hunt it down. Maybe some caffeine will give me the ability to think straight. Moving the sheets aside, she threw on a short satin light pink robe and went down to the kitchen.
    When she got there, she found Mahmoud and Jackson talking on the porch. Before her lay a pot of tea with mint leaves, a pot of coffee, and a selection of wildly colored fruits she’d never seen. Tightening her robe around her waist, she made herself a cup of coffee, grabbed a handful of what looked like berries, and stepped out, smiling at the sight of the sea and the vibrant outside light. Beautiful colored lanterns hung all around the porch, lit by the glinting of the sun’s rays. The sun also sparkled upon the chairs and tables, composed of intricate mosaics. The floor and walls boasted expertly crafted tile work that portrayed ancient Egyptian gods. It was breathtaking.
    Lisa Bee tucked a strand of her tousled red hair behind her ear and joined the men, aware of how her bare skin was responding to the combination of the silk robe, the ambience, and the men’s voices. She was comfortable around Jackson because he was such a close friend. And Mahmoud . . . well, there wasn’t much she wouldn’t be willing to show him . He wasn’t her type, exactly—he was too suave for the likes of her. But he was awfully nice to look at. Looking at him, out here on his porch in this beautiful paradise, she felt sexy in all the right ways.
    ‡‡‡
    LISA BEE WALKED OUT on the porch wearing next to nothing, and Jackson nearly lost his mind. Everything she did nowadays turned him on, but this ? This was too much. He could feel himself blush— actually blush —and tried to avert his eyes. But then she flashed a sexy little smile at Mahmoud, and Jackson began to see red. He was so upset that he clumsily grabbed his coffee and spilled it in his lap, scorching his thighs and part of his jock. He yelped and leaped up, seemingly to the great amusement of Mahmoud, who stood and said, “Allow me to get you some napkins, old friend. Perhaps Ms. Bee will be kind enough to help you clean it up.” Lisa Bee laughed in turn and said, “Oh, Mahmoud. You know Jackie! He prollyhas a line of women just waitin’ to do that!”
    Mahmoud went inside and Jackson was speechless. He could get any woman he wanted, and he often had. He was a dynamic and untiring lover. And he loved women of all shapes and sizes. But he had never truly given his heart away. And now, when he was ready to, he choked. Repeatedly. It had gotten to the point where he couldn’t even speak around her anymore.
    “What is it, Jackie?” Lisa Bee said with a smirk. “Cat got your tongue?”
    “Very funny,” he replied. “Just tired, I guess. And if you’re the cat, well . . . I wish you would.”
    “Oh, ha-ha . You’ve probably got some poor sweet young thing waitin’ in your room right now.”
    He was about to reply when Mahmoud returned with napkins, and Lisa Bee blushed. Jackson cut his friend a look of fury, but Mahmoud smiled back at him with a twinkle in his eye. What did that mean? Was Mahmoud into her? Get it under control, Oreida. Lately, it seemed like everyone pissed Jackson off, and everything made him jealous.